Sawbones by William W. Johnstone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Still, still,still,still another Johnstone Clan series start. Usually these are the best written of the dozens produced over the recent years. This is not one of those. Further indicating the Johnstone Clan needs to take all energies into the many current series existing as those are lagging more and more.

This one has a fresh perspective to the current efforts of revisionist fools wanting a fantasy view of history. This is also the best part of the book. The reconstruction view is as I’ve read it from first hand accounts and otherwise documented. The reconstruction Yankees were often far worse than Southerners, mostly due to the fact laws were in their favor and those moving into areas created the laws. This story is based in such a story.

The concept is a great one. Following a doctor and his adventures. That’s not what happens here.
The problem is the main character which has a consistency problem throughout. He is written as a gunfighter, then as a doctor, then as a member of law enforcement and then as a lost soul that wants to drift. The character flings from these stances at whim throughout the book. His views are written one way and then another and then another. With no practical reasoning why the views are all over the place. I found myself often disliking the character. The supporting characters are also a mostly unlikable lot. Even love interests were hard to like.

Due the shifting main character, the plotting doesn’t make sense as it could. The main character goes in one direction for stated reason. Then does the opposite for a stated reason. And then does the opposite. The ending is very frustrating as another shift occurs. I got the impression more than one ghost writer may have had this assignment and there were disagreements.

The characters are, as usual, very well created, except the main one. Each ends up shifting to one degree or other. Dialogue is very good. Setting is so-so this time around.

Something else is that the title stinks. Unless I missed it, the main characters is never referred to with the title and the title is further inconsistent with the character, as is the cover art.
The entire book is a recent example of the Johnstone Clan losing grips with consistency.

Bottom line: I don’t recommend this book. 4 out of 10 points.

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